Rafael had to be taken off before half-time for Manchester United’s after suffering a heavy blow to his ribs.

Leicester City’s Anthony Knockaert went flying in with a dangerous high challenge and Rafael grimaced in pain straight away.

The Brazilian defender looked in some discomfort on the floor and was clearly not happy before he went straight down the tunnel as he was unable to recover.

After a season of frustration and disappointment, the last thing Rafael would want is to have suffered a fractured rib. It was the same injury which Ander Herrera had earlier this season and it kept him out of full action for some time.

It’s been such an indifferent season that Rafael is probably counting down the days until it is over but he has no desire to leave the club on a permanent basis, so will no doubt be worried about what his future is under Louis van Gaal.

Hopefully for his sake his injury is nothing more than bruising but with time quickly running out this season, opportunities for Rafael to break back into the first-team are quickly dwindling.